Immigration Reform Stalled in the Face of Government Shutdown

Speaking from the White House earlier today, President Obama urged Republican adversaries in Congress to embrace a new spirit of cooperation moving forward from the near escape of government default. In addition to addressing the end of the 16-day government shutdown and debt ceiling crisis, the president proposed plans developing a long-term budget, a new farm bill, and immigration overhaul.

“You don’t like a particular policy, or a particular president, then argue for your position,” Mr. Obama said in his statement. “Go out there and win an election. Push to change it. But don’t break it.”

The president hopes to push forward with his plans for an immigration overhaul over the next few months. A bipartisan bill was passed by the Senate in June but has (naturally) been put on pause in the House.

Obama won his re-election campaign with an overwhelming Hispanic backing.

The immigration reform bill seeks to alleviate burdens of the 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally. While the President supports comprehensive reform regarding the issue, he is open to addressing the issue piece-by-piece with the House in order to get the bill passed.